FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THETA CHI FRATERNITY ANNOUNCES 2014/2015 RECRUITMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
JUNE 27, 2015 – BLOOMINGTON, IN – Theta Chi is pleased to announce the first round of 2014/2015 recruitment award recipients. The James M. Holland, Phil S. Randall and Henry B. Hersey awards were created to recognize and honor the Fraternity’s top recruiting chapters for the previous academic year. Winners were determined based on the total number of newly initiated members according to the International Headquarters files between May 15, 2014 and May 15, 2015. All active chapters are eligible for consideration for one or more of these honors.
Theta Chi Fraternity's recruitment awards are named in honor of the undergraduate members who saved the Fraternity from extinction. In 1881, Theta Chi found itself with one undergraduate member, James Michael Holland. Holland did not quit, but struggled to find a solution. Fortunately for Theta Chi, one new cadet, Phil Sheridan Randall, felt strongly that Theta Chi was worth saving. Randall convinced his friend Henry Blanchard Hersey that they should become members of Theta Chi. Randall and Hersey approached Holland to join Theta Chi, and he agreed to initiate the two cadets, enlisting the help of local alumni. Randall and Hersey were initiated on Nov. 19, 1881, saving Theta Chi at Norwich University, and securing the future of the entire Fraternity.
[Editor's Note: you can read about other 2014/2015 Recruitment Award presentations here and here.]
James M. Holland Award – Presented to the chapter that initiates the most new members
Second runner-up: Zeta Rho/University of Kentucky — 51 initiates
First runner-up: Iota Beta/Missouri State University — 53 initiates
Phil S. Randall Success in Recruitment Award – Presented to chapters that initiate 25 or more new members during the previous academic year
Iota Sigma/Towson University — 38 initiates
Alpha Iota/Indiana University — 37 initiates
Beta Delta/Rutgers University — 35 initiates
Zeta Sigma/University of Wisconsin-River Falls — 34 initiates
Theta/University of Massachusetts — 33 initiates
Rho/University of Illinois — 31 initiates
Beta Omicron/University of Cincinnati — 30 initiates
Gamma Xi/San Jose State University — 28 initiates
Iota Xi/Georgia College & State University — 26 initiates
Henry B. Hersey significant Increase in Membership Award – Presented to chapter's that have the highest membership percent increase
First runner-up: Zeta Sigma/University of Wisconson-River Falls -- 43 members in 2014, to 66 members in 2015, a 53% increase
Today, the Holland, Randall, and Hersey Awards recognize the recruitment efforts of Theta Chi chapters and their dedication to maintain and preserve Theta Chi Fraternity for the generations of brothers to come.
Congratulations to all recipients and good luck with your recruitment efforts in 2015/2016!
Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a men’s collegiate fraternity with more than 175,000 initiated members and has established 230 chapters. Leadership development, personal development, and service to alma mater are fundamental to Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission.
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